Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,105,954
|
Dahlquist
|
April 21, 1992
|
Foldable storage rack
Abstract
A foldable storage rack for recreational vehicles is characterized by a
laterally extending bottom panel, upwardly extending end panels at each
end of the bottom panel, and laterally outwardly extending top support
panels at the upper ends of the end panels. The panels are pivotally
connected at their end portions with hinges so that the panels form a
substantially rigid support structure when the adjoining panels are
arranged perpendicular to each other. When it is desired to store the
rack, the end panels are pivoted inwardly into overlapping relation with
the bottom panel and the top panels are pivoted downwardly into
overlapping relation with the end panels so that the rack can be stored in
a substantially flat configuration.
Inventors:
|
Dahlquist; Donald J. (6015 Trailside Dr., Springfield, VA 22150)
|
Appl. No.:
|
695091 |
Filed:
|
May 3, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
211/195; 211/90.01 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Field of Search: |
248/224,296
211/195,90
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3948191 | Apr., 1976 | Hatherley | 211/90.
|
Primary Examiner: Gibson, Jr.; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Laubscher, Presta & Laubscher
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foldable storage rack for use in recreational vehicles, comprising
(a) a generally rectangular horizontal base panel;
(b) a pair of end panels arranged at opposite edges of said base panel;
(c) first hinge means for connecting a bottom edge of each end panel with a
respective edge of said base panel, said first hinge means extending
continuously along the connected edges of said end and base panels and
affording pivotal movement of said end panels between a first position
where said panels are in parallel contiguous relation with said base panel
and a second position where said end panels extend upwardly no more than
90.degree. from said base panel;
(d) a pair of top panels arranged at a top edge of said pair of end panels,
respectively; and
(e) second hinge means for connecting an edge of each top panel with said
end panel top edges, respectively, said second hinge means extending
continuously along the connected edges of said end and top panels between
a first position where said panels are in parallel contiguous relation
with said end panels, respectively, and a second position where said top
panels extend outwardly no more than 90.degree. from said end panels,
respectively, said base panel being suspended between and beneath said top
panels in spaced parallel relation thereto by said end panels when said
end and top panels being supported by a bed frame of the recreational
vehicle with said base panel depending therefrom to provide a rigid
storage rack, whereby when said end and top panels are pivoted to said
first positions, the rack is folded to a compact configuration for
storage.
2. A foldable storage rack as defined in claim 1, wherein said panels are
formed of rigid material.
3. A foldable storage rack as defined in claim 2, wherein the height of
each end panel is less than one-half the width of said base panel.
4. A foldable storage rack as defined in claim 3, wherein the width of each
top panel is less than the height of each end panel.
Description
In a recreational vehicle (RV), space is at a premium. Manufacturers are
continually trying to improve upon RV designs in order to maximize the
usage of the interior space of the vehicle by reducing dead space, that
is, space which can not be utilized.
A very popular type of recreational vehicle is the class C type in which a
cab or compartment is provided over the top of the driver's and
passenger's seats. Normally, this compartment contains a bed. When the RV
is parked, at a campground or the like, the space beneath the bed, where
the driver and passenger are seated, comprises dead space, particularly
the area between the top of the driver's seat and the bottom of the bed.
The present invention relates to a foldable storage rack which can be
installed in the dead space beneath the bed to provide support for a
television, a video cassette recorder, or other appliance.
Currently, such appliances are placed on the edge of a table within the RV.
They thus take up valuable space and also hinder movement about the
vehicle. Furthermore, when a television is arranged on a table, there is
no adequate viewing area. With the storage rack of the invention, the
appliances can be located out of the way, thereby increasing the effective
usable space in the RV. When not in use, the rack is folded to a compact
configuration for storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Folding tables and shelves are well known in the prior art. For example,
shelving exists which is pivotally connected with a wall. A leg is hinged
to the bottom of the shelf and swung out to support the shelf and swing
out to support the shelf when the shelf is in a horizontal position. When
the shelf is not in use, it is pivoted to a position parallel to the wall.
Collapsible shelving is known in the patented prior art as evidenced by the
U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,191 to Hatherly which discloses a plurality of boards
hingedly connected end to end in a stair-step configuration to define a
collapsible shelf.
While the prior devices are satisfactory for the purposes for which they
were designed, none are suitable for use in an RV, and particularly a
class C RV, for mounting beneath a cabin bed within the dead space of the
driving compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
foldable storage rack for use in a recreational vehicle. The rack includes
a rectangular horizontal base panel and two end panels pivotally connected
with opposite edges thereof. The end panels pivot between a first position
where the panels are in parallel contiguous relation with the base panel
and a second position where the end panels extend upwardly no more than
90.degree. from the base panel. Two top panels are pivotally connected at
one edge with the top edges of the end panels, respectively. The top
panels also pivot between a first position where the panels are in a
parallel contiguous relation and a second position where the top panels
extend outwardly no more than 90.degree. from the end panels,
respectively. When the end and top panels are in their second positions, a
rigid storage rack is defined. When the end and top panels are pivoted to
their first positions, the rack is folded to a compact configuration for
storage.
The base, end, and top panels are preferably connected together with hinges
which extend along the connected edges of the panels. Because the panels
can not be pivoted beyond 90.degree. with respect to one another, the ends
of the panels abut each other to increase the structural stabibility of
the rack when in its erected position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a
study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the
accompanying drawing, in which:
FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and top plan views, respectively, of the foldable
storage rack of the invention in its erect position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rack of the invention in a partially
folded condition;
FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the rack of the invention in its folded
position; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 are detailed front plan view of two different hinge
connections, respectively, between adjoining panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable storage rack 2 of the
invention will be described. The rack includes a generally rectangular
base panel 4, a pair of rectangular end panels 6, 8, and a pair of
rectangular top panels 10, 12.
The panels all have a rectangular configuration to facilitate their joinder
as will be developed below. The height H of each end panel 6, 8 is
preferably slightly less than one-half the width W of the base panel 4,
and the width X of each top panel 10, 12 is preferably less than the
height H of the end panels. All of the panels are formed of an inexpensive
rigid material, such as plywood, particle board, or synthetic plastic
material.
Because of its rectangular configuration, the base panel 4 has opposite
edges having longer and shorter dimensions, respectively. At the edges of
the shorter dimension are arranged the pair of end panels. The end panels
are pivotally connected at their bottom edges with the edges of the base
panel by way of hinges 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinges preferably
extend continuously along the edges being connected, with the members 14a,
14b of the hinge being connected with the respective panel edges using
screws or other fasteners known in the art.
Similarly, the top panels 10, 12 are pivotally connected at their side
edges with the top edges of the end panels 6, 8, respectively, by hinges
14 which also extend continuously along the edges being joined.
An important aspect of the invention is the arrangement of the panels at
the area of joinder. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end
face 16 of the pivoting panel must overlap a side surface 18 of the fixed
panel. That is, for joinder of the end panels 6, 8 to the base panel 4,
the base panel is fixed and the end panels pivot. Thus the bottom face of
the end panels overlaps the top surface of the base panel. For joinder of
the top panels 10, 12 to the respective end panels, the end panels are
fixed and the top panels pivot. Thus, the end face of the top panels
overlaps the outer side surface of the respective base panels.
Such an arrangement insures that the end panels can pivot from a first
position shown in FIG. 4 where the end panels are in parallel contiguous
relation with the base panel to a second position shown in FIG. 1 where
the end panels are arranged at 90.degree. with respect to the base panel.
Pivotal movement beyond 90.degree. is prevented by the abutment of the
bottom face of the end panel against the surface of the base panel.
Similarly, the top panels pivot from a first position shown in FIG. 4
where the top panels are in parallel contiguous relation with the end
panels to a second position shown in FIG. 1 where the end panels are
arranged at 90.degree. with respect to the associated end panel.
Accordingly, the rack can be manipulated between a folded compact
configuration (FIG. 4) when the top and end panels are in their first
positions and an erect configuration (FIG. 1) when the top and end panels
are in their second positions.
FIG. 3 illustrates an intermediate position of the rack between the erect
and folded configurations.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two different arrangements for the hinges 14. In
FIG. 5, the hinge members 14a, 14b are connected with the side surface of
the panels being joined whereas in FIG. 6, one hinge member 14a is
connected with a side surface 18 of the fixed panel and the other hinge
member 14b is connected with an end surface 16 of the pivotal panel.
OPERATION
When in the folded configuration of FIG. 4, the rack 2 is compact for
storage. In use, the top and end panels are pivoted to their second
positions, whereby the rack attains its erect configuration. The base and
top panels are arranged horizontally and the end panels are arranged
vertically. This configuration is maintained owing to the unique joinder
of the panels.
In an RV of the class C type, the bed platform 20 above the driver's
compartment contains a removable portion (not shown) to define an opening
22 which facilitates passage of the driver from the driving cabin or
compartment of the vehicle to the rear living area. The storage rack of
the invention is adapted for placement within the opening. The top panels
10, 12 are placed on the bed platform 20 as shown in FIG. 2, and the end
and base panels depend therefrom into the dead space of the cabin as shown
in FIG. 1.
The rack can be used as a shelf or the like to support books, plants, a
television, or anything else desired by the occupant. The rack may include
an electrical receptacle to which electrical appliances can be connected.
An extension cord from the receptacle to the electrical source of the RV
can be connected with the rack. Any number of other accessories can be
included on the rack.
The rack can also be provided with different dimensions for accomodation in
different sized vehicles. While the preferred configuration of the rack
has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be
made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.
Top